My Vote For Change

I was in line at the Belle Meade City Hall at 8 AM to cast my ballot as the first day of Tennessee's early voting dawned bright and clear. The line wasn't too long and moved quite quickly. In fact, the longest part of the process was reading the two Metro charter amendments on the ballot. I voted yes on both.

In what will surely be the most unsurprising statement I'll make on my blog I voted the straight Democratic ticket (Barack Obama, Bob Tuke, Jim Cooper and, in the case of my State House District, Gary Odom). It was exciting given the interest this election has generated, but I'm one of that dying breed that finds voting in EVERY election exciting because of the privilege we have in choosing our leaders.

Like virtually everyone else I expect Obama to win Davidson County and lose Tennessee. A majority of the folks in this relatively poor state will once again vote against their own economic self-interest, convinced that one day Republicans will make them rich too and that Democrats are traitors, terrorists, baby killers and devil worshipers. I've tried to tell some of them that we're really pretty nice once you get to know us, but it may take several years before they realize we don't have horns and cloven hooves.

I am not complacent about the momentum Obama apparently has but I agree with the conventional wisdom that he's primed to win the White House unless a whopper of an October surprise emerges. Obviously I'll gladly take being part of a national majority while I'm a minority voter in the Volunteer State.

UPDATE: Wow. Davidson County had its largest first-day Early Voting total ever (though for the record we've only been doing this since 1994).

Go, Bob, Go!

Bob Tuke's first TV ad says it all!

Tuke's Team

A press release from Bob Tuke outlines his campaign team:

"IT’S OFFICIAL" … BOB TUKE ENTERS U.S. SENATE RACE
HIRES NATIONAL TALENT WITH WINNING TENNESSEE TRACK RECORD

NASHVILLE, TN –Vietnam Veteran and former Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Bob Tuke announced today that he has filed his “Statement of Candidacy” with the Federal Election Commission and hired key campaign consultants.

“It’s official. I am a candidate to replace Lamar Alexander in the U.S. Senate. I have filed my paperwork and I am raising money. I’m also assembling a team of top-notch consultants with vast experience at turning “Red States” into “Blue States.”

The Tuke for Tennessee campaign announced his core campaign team today.
• Ben Chao- Campaign Manager. Find out more about Ben at www.FRCR.biz
• Joe Trippi - Media and Internet Consultant. Find out more about Joe at www.trippimultimedia.com
• FRCR, Inc. - Media Consultant. Find out more at www.FRCR.biz
• Cathy Thomas – Fundraising consultant. Find out more at www.thomaslindseygroup.com
• Stephen Lindsey – Political Advisor. Find out more at www.thomaslindseygroup.com

“I am very pleased to be able to begin my campaign with this team,” Tuke said. “I realize we are starting later than some other campaigns nationally and that’s why I felt a need to put together a team of battle-hardened political veterans with a balance of national experience and Tennessee knowledge.”

Bob Tuke's Letter

I checked my Facebook account this morning and here's what I found:

"Dear friends,

As some of you know, I have decided to run for the US Senate against Lamar Alexander.

I will bring the energy, focus, purpose and determination of a Marine to this campaign and to my service in the United States Senate.

I am not so much offering myself as a candidate as I again am answering a call to service. America is in crisis. Our economy is in trouble, our schools are struggling to excel, our health care system leaves millions uncovered, and there are parts of Tennessee where the good paying jobs of the future are just a mirage. And in too many places, the cold wind of hunger and poverty whistle through open doors of despair.

Perhaps most critically, we find ourselves in two wars, with enemies lying in wait at home and abroad. Veterans return from war to heal their bodies and their minds only to find a broken system that leaves them without care. I fought in Vietnam as a Marine officer, and I cared for my Marines. I understand the rigors of war and the responsibility of our government to wage it properly and to care for those who fight it and for their families.

My wife Susan and I have built our lives in Tennessee and have been married for nearly 39 years. We raised our children Andrew (27) and Sarah (24) in the traditions of faith, service to country and belief in the ideals of the Democratic Party.

I hope you will support me in this effort as you supported me when I was your Party Chairman.

Thank you and Semper Fi,

Bob Tuke
Tuke for Tennessee
222 Fourth Ave. No.
Nashville, TN 37219
615-256-8585
rtuke@tntlaw.net"

Good! I know Lamar is a huge favorite in this race, but he shouldn't get another term in the US Senate by default. And it does give me a good Democrat to vote for after months of thinking there wouldn't be one on the ballot.

UPDATE: Former Knox County Clerk Mike Padgett has his hat in the ring now too.